6PPC Custom Dies

[Ironman308]

I have a used 6PPC on the way. I have called Harrell’s regarding custom dies. They want 3 times fired cases. I have two questions. It seems like I will need to buy a neck sizing die to do this. What neck sizing die do you recommend? Who makes the best custom dies? The reason I ask is because I‘m not sure if the numbered sizing dies from Harrell’s is the best route to go for custom dies.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Did they sell you some fired brass with it? Id buy a harrels #2 die and see if it works. If not use it to fire some brass and send them to whidden

 

[Ironman308]

Hi Dusty,

I asked about fired brass and was told he would have to look to see what he had. My concern was if he full length sized the brass before firing it would it work.

I called PMA and 21st per your suggestion and just got their answering machine. I will keep trying.

Thank you.

 

[AlNyhus]

I have a used 6PPC on the way. I have called Harrell’s regarding custom dies. They want 3 times fired cases. I have two questions. It seems like I will need to buy a neck sizing die to do this. What neck sizing die do you recommend? Who makes the best custom dies? The reason I ask is because I‘m not sure if the numbered sizing dies from Harrell’s is the best route to go for custom dies.

You definitely don't want any sort of 'neck only' sizing die.

These guns and chambers perform best with a full length die that also sizes the neck via a bushing....that's what the Harrel's dies are. Dollar for dollar, the Harrel's are the way to go for a PPC.

The best way is to send them some fired cases so they can size them and get you a die that's in the ball park. It's been my experience that a die at least one step more than they recommend works best...and two steps more is probably where you'll end up.

As an aside...if you're going to get a Wilson arbor die for seating, make sure and get the OS (oversize) part numbered one....that denotes the bigger back end that works best with Lapua and Norma cases. The standard part number is for the early Sako cases that were used in the PPC's in the early days.

If you don't get any fired cases with the gun and need a few to fire before sending to Harrel's, let me know. I have some that will work for you to load and fire. I'd be happy to send a few to you at no charge.

Good shootin'! -Al

 

[Ironman308]

Hi Al,

First off, thank you for your offer. That is very generous of you. Hopefully he will find some brass and this is just a learning experience.

It's interesting that you suggest a bushing die. I use Redding bushing dies for all of the other calibers I reload. I thought that the donut would not fly here but I have a lot to learn. I am looking forward to getting into the reloading details that this type of shooting requires to be successful. The good news is that both of you have confidence in the Harrell's dies so that is the route I will take. I have not done enough research to say if the Arbor press will get added to the collection yet. I have been reloading long enough and have enough different equipment to appreciate the old saying "buy once cry once" so that will be my approach with this rifle. I asked the gunsmith, that I am buying the rifle from, to chamber another barrel so the same reamer is used on both barrels. Hopefully this will help to keep things simple. I have some time so I will start to purchase other tools of the trade and keep searching for N133....

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Richard Coody]

If you are just getting started with a 6ppc

First thing you will find is brass prep is an extensive process. Do you know the chamber neck dimensions. Something like .262 or .268

Best way to get brass prepped properly is call DJ's brass. Let him form it and turn it. You may think it is expensive until you do it yourself. Of course after some experience you may enjoy brass prep. I know I do.

Harrells is probably the most popular ppc die. They work very well. They need.fully fireformed brass to select the proper one for your chamber.best $75 you will spend on a die. You can use about any ppc die for fireforming. I set my die up to just resize part of the neck where I can seat a bullet. When fired brass chambers a little tight it is fully fireformed. Don't size it just send harrels 3 pieces of fully fireformed brass. You will be glad you did.

As for seating bullets. Can't beat a Wilson inline seater and an arbor press.

N133 or LT-32 and Bart 68gr dominators and you are in business

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Just take a piece of brass and dent the neck enough to hold a bullet to fire three times. No biggie! Send the the three times fired piece of brass(or three). I agree with Al, in that the one they send could stand to be a size smaller. Just my experience, though.

 

[HTSmith]

Just take a piece of brass and dent the neck enough to hold a bullet to fire three times. No biggie! Send the the three times fired piece of brass(or three). I agree with Al, in that the one they send could stand to be a size smaller. Just my experience, though.

Yep. I didn't even dent the neck. Just handle carefully and close the bolt slowly.

 

[Ironman308]

I did not know that there are two neck reamer sizes so I will make the call tomorrow, to the seller, and see what I am getting. All I know so far is that it is a 21" 1x13.5 twist Krieger barrel with about 300 rounds fired. I will stick with Harrell's dies and work with them once I get the fired brass. No neck sizing for this boy.

I looked today and as you all know powder and primers are hard to come by so I will start the search for the legendary "In Stock" sites daily until I find what I need. N133 and Federal 205's are extinct at this time. I will also look at the LT-32. I assume that you all use the Match primers. Is that correct? I have a bunch of CCI BR's small rifle primers for the other rifles so if push came to shove I could use them to fire form the brass. I had settled on 220 Russian Lapua brass because I use Lapua brass in all the other calibers I reload and they seem pretty consistant. I may need to do a little more research on brass before I buy some. I'm sure there is a lot of data on this site regarding that.

I am lucky I enjoy reloading because it is apparent that I am stepping into a whole new world of ultra precision reloading. This is going to be a fun journey! Thank you for all you comments.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[JMayo]

I ran mine up in my bra die to get the neck sized down. Just back out the stem after poking out primer.
I have a 268 neck. Sized with 265 bushing ...

 

[AlNyhus]

I did not know that there are two neck reamer sizes so I will make the call tomorrow, to the seller, and see what I am getting.

Jim, there are all sorts of neck sizes on 6PPC chambers, depending on how the reamer was spec'd. The most popular is the .262 but everything from .261 to .268 is out there.

The .261-.262 necks were popular with the early brass. Of late, shooters have gravitated to larger chamber necks.

All will do the job. -Al

 

[Ironman308]

I ran mine up in my bra die to get the neck sized down. Just back out the stem after poking out primer.
I have a 268 neck. Sized with 265 bushing ...

Maybe I Could use my 6 BR Reeding bushing die then.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I did not know that there are two neck reamer sizes so I will make the call tomorrow, to the seller, and see what I am getting. All I know so far is that it is a 21" 1x13.5 twist Krieger barrel with about 300 rounds fired. I will stick with Harrell's dies and work with them once I get the fired brass. No neck sizing for this boy.

I looked today and as you all know powder and primers are hard to come by so I will start the search for the legendary "In Stock" sites daily until I find what I need. N133 and Federal 205's are extinct at this time. I will also look at the LT-32. I assume that you all use the Match primers. Is that correct? I have a bunch of CCI BR's small rifle primers for the other rifles so if push came to shove I could use them to fire form the brass. I had settled on 220 Russian Lapua brass because I use Lapua brass in all the other calibers I reload and they seem pretty consistant. I may need to do a little more research on brass before I buy some. I'm sure there is a lot of data on this site regarding that.

I am lucky I enjoy reloading because it is apparent that I am stepping into a whole new world of ultra precision reloading. This is going to be a fun journey! Thank you for all you comments.

Cheers,

Jim

I've had good luck with the br4 primer and lt32. Certainly worth a try..both of them, imo.

 

[Ironman308]

It's a good night guys! Midway is shipping out 4 lbs of LT32 to my home. Power and Primer are behind me for the first round of load development. Now on to getting some fancy tools. Thank you all for your help!

Funny thing was that Powder Valley had it and I hesitated for a minute to see if I could find it cheaper..... GONE!!

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Richard Coody]

This will save you a.lot of work and a good starting point on your brass prep

https://djsbrass.com/services

Best price I can find on brass

Lapua Brass, 220 Russian, 4PH5013, (Box of 100) - Bullet Central

Lapua Brass – 220 Russian 4PH5013 (Box of 100)

www.bulletcentral.com

 

[ridgeway]

Harrells Dies are bushing dies.

 

[rkittine]

I bought a Redding Narrow base dies on the recommendation of Harley Baker and since have also purchased a set of Whidden Custom Dies. The have stock ones or custom ones. They full length resize, bump back the shoulder and have bushings for the neck sizing. I also have a Wilson neck sizing only die to load on the bench with my Arbor press if I ever start shooting again.

Bob

 

[JMayo]

@P1ZombieKiller has Russian 220 also.

 

[Ironman308]

Thanks guys. I have some Lapua brass on the way. So I have everything but the bullets. I’m now leaning toward Berger 68 grain bullets to start out.

 

[AlNyhus]

Thanks guys. I have some Lapua brass on the way. So I have everything but the bullets. I’m now leaning toward Berger 68 grain bullets to start out.

I would suggest starting with a bullet made on the .790 jacket versus the .825 jacket.

Good shootin'. -Al